Nicola Puddicombe, a Toronto woman serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, is seeking early release after more than 15 years in prison. Puddicombe was convicted in 2009 for the murder of her boyfriend, Dennis Hoy, who was killed on October 27, 2006. Hoy was attacked with the blunt end of an axe while he slept in bed.

Puddicombe is applying for parole under Canada’s “faint hope” clause, which allows individuals convicted of first-degree murder to seek parole after serving 15 years, rather than the standard 25 years. This clause is available only to those convicted before December 2, 2011. A decision by Justice Robert F. Goldstein last September indicated that Puddicombe’s application has a reasonable chance of success. A hearing is scheduled for November 17, where a jury will determine her eligibility for reduced parole.

If the jury finds her eligible, Puddicombe will then need to apply to the National Parole Board for parole approval. The Crown’s attorneys argue that Puddicombe remains a “cold-blooded killer and a liar,” asserting that she has not accepted responsibility for Hoy’s murder. They maintain that she has not changed during her time in prison.

In contrast, Puddicombe’s defense claims she has accepted her role in the murder and has made significant progress while incarcerated. They argue that she poses a very low risk of re-offending. The Crown’s theory of the murder suggests it was motivated by jealousy and greed. At the time of the murder, Puddicombe was in a troubled relationship with Hoy, who was also seeing other women. She had begun a romantic relationship with Ashleigh Pechaluk, a younger colleague.

The Crown alleged that Puddicombe manipulated Pechaluk into believing that Hoy was abusive and encouraged her to help eliminate him. Witnesses testified that the two women had discussed the murder prior to the incident. After the murder, Puddicombe called 911, claiming she was in the shower when Hoy was attacked. Pechaluk was arrested at the scene and initially confessed to the crime, stating that Puddicombe was not involved.

Puddicombe was arrested in May 2007 and charged with murder. The two women were tried separately, and Pechaluk’s confession was excluded from evidence due to a lack of legal counsel. She was later acquitted of first-degree murder. During her trial, Pechaluk testified that she had not participated in the murder, although she admitted to discussing it with Puddicombe.

Puddicombe was sentenced to life in prison. Her appeal in 2013 was dismissed by the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada rejected her application for leave to appeal in 2014. Justice Goldstein acknowledged the Crown’s concerns about Puddicombe’s lack of insight into her actions but noted that a jury could find she has made progress and taken responsibility for her role in the murder. In a 2023 affidavit, Puddicombe expressed remorse and acknowledged her responsibility for creating the circumstances that led to Hoy’s death. As of May 2021, she has been held in a minimum-security facility.